Kerala minister T Siddique reviews monsoon preparedness in Wayanad

Wayanad: Wayanad minister in-charge T Siddique said steps will be taken to install more rain gauge stations in the district. He was speaking at a meeting held at the collectorate as part of monsoon preparedness.The minister directed officials to proceed with demolishing vacant unsafe buildings and removing trees that pose a danger. A total of 192 disaster-prone locations have been identified in the district. If any disaster occurs, 251 camps can be arranged to relocate people, accommodating up to 30,330 individuals. For monsoon preparedness and setting up camps, local bodies in the district have been allotted Rs 1 crore. The minister further instructed that monsoon preparedness measures be completed at the local body level.The minister said that if heavy rains make it necessary to open dams, interstate coordination must be ensured. Adequate stocks of antivenom and other medicines should be maintained. Immediate steps should be taken to provide sheets to protect the homes of tribal communities. He instructed that damaged roads be repaired before the rains intensify. Data should be collected on all estate workers living in disaster-risk areas, and the structural safety of their homes and buildings should be checked.Drinking water in schools must be tested and confirmed fit for use. Measures to prevent food poisoning should also be implemented. On days of intense rainfall, Siddique said that rainfall be measured twice daily to assess conditions and that timely public advisories be issued.